Adrian keen to capitalise on Spain call-up

Adrian’s first call-up for Spain is the proudest moment of his career but the West Ham keeper has no intention of stopping there.

The 29-year-old was picked as one of three goalkeepers in new manager Julen Lopetegui’s squad for a friendly against Belgium and a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Liechtenstein.

Having been on standby for a couple of squads before Euro 2016 – the West Ham stopper has finally been given his chance to impress alongside David de Gea and Pepe Reina.

And he cannot wait to give his all for La Furia Roja and hopefully make his debut over the two games.

“This time around I didn’t ask my agent if I was included, then when I finished training on Thursday I got back to the dressing room and checked my phone, I had 360 WhatsApp messages, emails, texts and missed Facetime calls,” he said.

(PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

“It’s great news and a great moment. For me, for my family, my friends, my wife, my baby and for West Ham United, I am really happy for this news. It’s so exciting to go there and train with all the international players and to give my best, as I always do here.

“My grandfather recently passed away and he was probably the proudest person of all about where I have got to, and he was always looking after me and called me after every game. This is a great moment for him, also, and I’ll give everything to play in the national team.

“The work has paid off for me because I work hard. I made my debut in Real Betis and after a season I came to West Ham and have played most of the games in the starting XI.

“It’s a great moment for me. I’m still only 29, which is so young for a goalkeeper who can play for a long time, so with the new manager [former Barcelona goalkeeper Lopetegui] he has given opportunities to new players to show they are ready for the national team.”